Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 17/12/2013 09/12/2008

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early years provision

This inspection: 2 Previous inspection: 3 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children 2 The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision 2

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This provision is good

 The childminder uses appropriate teaching to support children's developing language and communication skills.  Children's emotional well-being and the support for parents is very good and ensures children feel confident and secure.  The childminder is proactive in monitoring and reflecting on her practice to identify and secure improvements in the provision for children.  The childminder has very good knowledge of safeguarding and is working effectively with other professionals to support children's well-being.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 There is scope to further extend the sharing of progress information with other professionals working with the children to ensure all children are consistently fully supported.  Opportunities to use routines and direct teaching about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle are not always maximised to give children the greatest possible understanding from the earliest age.

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Information about this inspection

Inspections of registered early years provision are:  scheduled at least once in every inspection cycle – the current cycle ends on 31 July

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Information about this inspection

 scheduled more frequently where Ofsted identifies a need to do so, for example where provision was previously judged inadequate  brought forward in the inspection cycle where Ofsted has received information that suggests the provision may not be meeting the legal requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage or where assessment of the provision identifies a need for early inspection  prioritised where we have received information that the provision is not meeting the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and which suggests children may not be safe  scheduled at the completion of an investigation into failure to comply with the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Information about this inspection

The provision is also registered on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. This report includes a judgment about compliance with the requirements of that register.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in the home and conducted a joint observation with the childminder.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector, childminder and children had conversations at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector viewed the areas of the premises and garden used for childminding.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at children's assessment records, planning documentation, evidence of suitability of household members and a range of other documentation, including the safeguarding procedures and the self-evaluation form.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector took account of the views of parents from information provided by the childminder and from feedback forms.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2008 on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and two children aged 13 years and nine years in a house in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire. The whole of the ground floor, one bedroom on the first floor and the rear garden are used for childminding. The family has a dog and a cat.

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Information about the setting

The childminder attends toddler groups and activities at the local children's centre. She visits the shops and park on a regular basis. She collects children from the local schools. There are currently five children on roll, four of whom are in the early years age group and attend for a variety of sessions. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays and family holidays. She is a member of Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years.

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To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

 extend the relationships with other providers and professionals to include sharing learning and progress information on a regular basis

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To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

 increase the use of direct teaching and robust routines to help children develop healthy habits that ensure their continuing good health.

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who attend

The childminder provides well for children's learning and development needs. She knows the children well and is effective in teaching according to each child's individual needs. The childminder uses effective teaching methods to support children in acquiring skills in communication and language. By using techniques, such as commentating on children's play, using repetition and interpreting what children say to others, she is contributing significantly to children's progress. The childminder provides appropriate levels of challenge to individual children by using well-thought out questions. The childminder uses children's interests effectively to extend their knowledge and understanding. Using the construction bricks, she supports children's mathematical development and their understanding of the world. Children use mathematical language in their play. They describe what they are doing and make up imaginative stories for the small play figures.

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who attend

Older children enjoy using technology for educational games. They use their developing literacy skills as they use writing for purpose in their games and activities. The childminder supports children's developing reading skills by listening to them read.

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who attend

The childminder begins to observe children when they first start. She uses this information with details from parents to assess children's level of development, building on this by identifying next steps on which to work. As a result, children continue to make good progress from their individual starting points. Regular observations with supporting photographs show the many activities children enjoy and illustrate their growing skills. The childminder shares progress information with parents on a regular basis. For example, she involved them in the progress check at age two years, sharing their child's achievements, the next steps and identifying areas of development that need further input.

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who attend

The childminder places an appropriate focus on the prime areas of learning with the youngest children. This ensures they have a solid foundation of core skills, which stand them in good stead for their future learning.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Children settle in the home and quickly develop strong relationships with the childminder and other children. The childminder's reassuring and calm presence helps children to feel comfortable and secure. She works closely with parents and the extended family to ensure children's well-being. Children are confident and happy. They enjoy playing together and choosing their toys for themselves. This promotes their independence effectively and supports them in developing their abilities to make relationships and get along with other children.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Children are well behaved because the childminder consistently gives clear guidance about her expectations. Consequently, they understand how to behave. For example, they sit together at the table when eating and are polite, saying 'please' and 'thank you' appropriately. Parents and the childminder work together to provide balanced meals. The childminder uses some direct teaching to help children learn about healthy eating. One child delights in identifying a variety of fruits and vegetables from the poster on the wall. The childminder and child talk about healthy foods and the ones they like to eat. Children do follow generally appropriate hygiene routines often using wet wipes. However, their knowledge and understanding is not fully supported because the childminder is not exploiting opportunities to use soap and water for hand washing and to explain its importance before eating or after nappy changing. Children spend time outdoors playing

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

in the fresh air and using large equipment in the garden and local parks. This helps them to develop their physical skills and learn about the importance of being active to their continuing good health.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Children learn to be sensible and responsible by helping with task in the home. They help to set the table for meals and tidy away the toys when they have finished playing with them. Children understand about their own safety because they learn about the potential for accidents from tripping over. They also learn how to use toys and equipment safely. The childminder takes time to talk to children about what they are doing and how they are feeling. This means that they explore any anxieties and share in the joy and excitement of special events, which supports their emotional well-being.

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provision

The childminder provides a well-organised and safe environment for children because she understands her responsibilities to meet all of the legal requirements of the Statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage. She is very knowledgeable about issues around safeguarding. This means that children and their families are well protected, supported effectively and their welfare is monitored closely. The childminder attends regular training to keep her up to date with current practice. She also seeks advice and guidance on supporting particular aspects of children's learning. As a result, she delivers a tailored programme of interesting experiences to support children effectively, so they make good progress towards the early learning goals.

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provision

The childminder reflects on her practice and evaluates it to help her make improvement. She uses information from parents and includes the views of children. This means that everyone is involved in shaping the provision and the childminder knows how to achieve the targets she sets. Since the last inspection, she has developed the use of observation, assessment and planning to improve the tracking of progress, has reviewed the risk assessments to ensure the home is always safe and increased children's opportunities to learn about others.

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provision

Partnerships with parents are successful in ensuring children's needs are always met. Where children attend other settings or use other services, relationships are equally strong. Consequently, there is consistency in care. The relationships do not routinely include the regular sharing of development and learning information. Therefore, there is an opportunity to extend this further to provide a shared view of children's progress.

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The Childcare Register

The requirements for the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are Met The requirements for the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are Met

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Grade Judgement Description

Grade 1 Outstanding Outstanding provision is highly effective in meeting the needs of all children exceptionally well. This ensures that children are very well prepared for the next stage of their learning. Grade 2 Good Good provision is effective in delivering provision that meets the needs of all children well. This ensures children are ready for the next stage of their learning. Grade 3 Requires improvement The provision is not giving children a good standard of early years education and/or there are minor breaches of the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected within twelve months of the date of this inspection. Grade 4 Inadequate Provision that is inadequate requires significant improvement and/or enforcement action. The provision is failing to give children an acceptable standard of early years education and/or is not meeting the safeguarding and welfare requirements of

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Grade Judgement Description

the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected again within six months of the date of this inspection. Met The provision has no children on roll. The inspection judgement is that the provider continues to meet the requirements for registration. Not met The provision has no children on roll. The inspection judgement is that the provider does not meet the requirements for registration.

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Inspection

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY373299 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 878670 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 5

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Telephone number

set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk.

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Type of provision

For the purposes of this inspection the following definitions apply:

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Type of provision

Full-time provision is that which operates for more than three hours. These are usually known as nurseries, nursery schools and pre-schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the higher fee for registration.

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Type of provision

Sessional provision operates for more than two hours but does not exceed three hours in any one day. These are usually known as pre-schools, kindergartens or nursery schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the lower fee for registration.

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Type of provision

Childminders care for one or more children where individual children attend for a period of more than two hours in any one day. They operate from domestic premises, which are usually the childminder’s own home. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Type of provision

Out of school provision may be sessional or full-time provision and is delivered before or after school and/or in the summer holidays. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. Where children receive their Early Years Foundation Stage in school these providers do not have to deliver the learning and development requirements in full but should complement the experiences children receive in school. achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children,

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Type of provision

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way. To receive regular email alerts about new publications, including survey reports and school inspection reports, please visit our website and go to ‘Subscribe’.

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Type of provision

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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